Mastering Phrasal Verbs with “Give”: A Comprehensive Guide

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English, adding nuance and depth to everyday communication. Among these, phrasal verbs with “give” are particularly common and versatile.

Understanding how to use them correctly can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension. This article provides a comprehensive guide to phrasal verbs with “give,” covering their meanings, structures, usage rules, and common mistakes.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this detailed exploration will help you master these essential expressions.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What are Phrasal Verbs with “Give”?
• Structural Breakdown
• Categories of Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
  • Giving Up: Surrendering or Abandoning
  • Giving Out: Distributing or Failing
  • Giving In: Yielding or Conceding
  • Giving Away: Offering Freely or Revealing
  • Giving Back: Returning or Reimbursing
  • Giving Over: Handing Over or Stopping
  • Giving Off: Emitting or Producing
  • Giving Onto: Opening or Leading To
• Examples of Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
• Usage Rules and Considerations
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What are Phrasal Verbs with “Give”?

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that creates a new meaning, often one that is not obvious from the individual words. Phrasal verbs with “give” are formed by combining the verb “give” with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs).

These combinations result in expressions with meanings distinct from the simple verb “give.” Their meaning depends on the particle(s) that follow the verb. Phrasal verbs are an integral part of idiomatic English and are used extensively in both spoken and written communication.

Understanding phrasal verbs is crucial for several reasons. First, they are extremely common in everyday conversation and informal writing.

Second, they often have multiple meanings, which can be confusing if you don’t know the context. Third, they can be difficult to translate directly, as their meanings are often idiomatic.

Finally, mastering phrasal verbs will significantly enhance your ability to understand and communicate effectively in English.

Phrasal verbs can be classified as either separable or inseparable. Separable phrasal verbs allow the object to be placed either between the verb and the particle or after the particle. Inseparable phrasal verbs require the object to follow the particle. The separability of a phrasal verb often depends on the specific verb and particle combination. With some separable phrasal verbs, if the object is a pronoun (e.g., it, him, her, them), it *must* go between the verb and the particle.

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure of a phrasal verb with “give” is:

Give + Particle (Preposition or Adverb)

The particle changes the meaning of the verb “give” to create a new, distinct meaning. For example:

• Give up: To stop trying, to surrender.
• Give out: To distribute something, or to stop functioning.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the structure, including the object:

1. Intransitive (No Object):

Give + Particle (e.g., The engine gave out.)

2. Transitive (With Object):

Give + Particle + Object (e.g., Give out the flyers.)

Give + Object + Particle (e.g., Give the flyers out.) – (Separable, but when the object is a pronoun, it *must* go in the middle: Give them out.)

Understanding the structure helps in correctly forming sentences using phrasal verbs and in identifying their meaning in context.

Categories of Phrasal Verbs with “Give”

Phrasal verbs with “give” can be categorized based on their different meanings. Each category represents a distinct concept or action.

Here are some common categories:

Giving Up: Surrendering or Abandoning

“Giving up” means to stop trying to do something, to surrender, or to abandon a task or goal. It implies a cessation of effort due to difficulty, discouragement, or lack of progress.

Giving Out: Distributing or Failing

“Giving out” can mean either to distribute something to a group of people or to stop functioning or working properly. The meaning depends on the context.

Giving In: Yielding or Conceding

“Giving in” means to yield to pressure or persuasion, to concede, or to agree to something after initially resisting. It implies a change of mind or a surrender of one’s position.

Giving Away: Offering Freely or Revealing

“Giving away” can mean either to offer something as a gift or for free or to reveal a secret or information unintentionally. The context determines the intended meaning.

Giving Back: Returning or Reimbursing

“Giving back” means to return something that was borrowed or to contribute to a community or cause as a form of repayment or gratitude. It often implies a sense of responsibility or social awareness.

Giving Over: Handing Over or Stopping

“Giving over” means to hand something over to someone else or to stop doing something, often to dedicate time or resources to another activity. It suggests a transfer of responsibility or a change of focus.

Giving Off: Emitting or Producing

“Giving off” means to emit or produce something, such as a smell, light, or heat. It often describes the characteristic output of a substance or object.

Giving Onto: Opening or Leading To

“Giving onto” means to open or lead to a particular place or space. It describes the physical connection between two areas.

Examples of Phrasal Verbs with “Give”

Here are some detailed examples of phrasal verbs with “give,” organized by category. Each example illustrates the meaning and usage of the phrasal verb in context.

Table 1: Examples of “Give Up”

The following table shows various examples of the phrasal verb “give up” in different contexts. It includes sentences demonstrating its use in expressing surrender, abandonment, and cessation of effort.

Sentence	Meaning
I decided to give up smoking.	I stopped smoking.
Don’t give up! You’re almost there.	Don’t stop trying! You’re close to achieving your goal.
He gave up his job to travel the world.	He quit his job to travel.
She gave up on her dream of becoming a doctor.	She abandoned her dream.
The climbers had to give up due to the bad weather.	The climbers had to stop their climb.
After several failed attempts, he gave up trying to fix the car.	After many tries, he stopped trying to fix the car.
I will never give up on you.	I will always support you.
She gave up her seat on the bus for an elderly woman.	She offered her seat.
He gave up all hope of finding his lost dog.	He lost all hope.
They gave up their search after hours of looking.	They stopped searching.
It’s important not to give up when things get difficult.	It’s important to persevere.
I had to give up my gym membership because I couldn’t afford it.	I had to cancel my membership.
The company gave up on the project due to lack of funding.	The company abandoned the project.
He gave up his place in line to help someone in need.	He relinquished his spot.
She gave up arguing with him because it was pointless.	She stopped arguing.
They gave up the house because they couldn’t keep up with the mortgage payments.	They lost the house.
He gave up his bad habits to lead a healthier life.	He quit his bad habits.
She gave up her free time to volunteer at the local shelter.	She dedicated her time.
I gave up trying to understand the instructions.	I stopped trying to understand.
The team gave up the game after losing several key players.	The team forfeited the game.
He gave up his dream of becoming a musician to support his family.	He abandoned his dream to provide for his family.
She gave up her privacy when she became a public figure.	She sacrificed her privacy.
They gave up their old car for a more fuel-efficient model.	They replaced their old car.
He gave up his seat on the train to a pregnant woman.	He offered his seat.
She gave up her weekends to study for the exam.	She dedicated her weekends to studying.

Table 2: Examples of “Give Out”

This table provides examples illustrating the two main meanings of “give out”: distributing and ceasing to function. It showcases how the context clarifies the intended meaning.

Sentence	Meaning
The teacher gave out the exams.	The teacher distributed the exams.
The printer gave out after years of use.	The printer stopped working.
The charity gave out food to the homeless.	The charity distributed food.
My legs gave out during the marathon.	My legs stopped working.
The company gave out bonuses to its employees.	The company distributed bonuses.
The old bridge gave out under the weight of the truck.	The old bridge collapsed.
The scouts gave out flyers to promote the event.	The scouts distributed flyers.
His voice gave out after hours of shouting.	His voice became hoarse and unusable.
The organization gave out awards to outstanding volunteers.	The organization distributed awards.
The machine gave out a strange noise before breaking down.	The machine emitted a strange noise.
The store gave out free samples to attract customers.	The store distributed free samples.
Her patience finally gave out.	She lost her patience.
The volunteers gave out blankets to the refugees.	The volunteers distributed blankets.
The battery in my phone gave out.	My phone battery died.
The speaker gave out handouts before the presentation.	The speaker distributed handouts.
The brakes on the car gave out.	The brakes failed.
The government gave out grants to small businesses.	The government distributed grants.
His energy gave out after working all day.	He became exhausted.
The library gave out books to the children.	The library distributed books.
The old computer finally gave out.	The old computer stopped working.
The nurse gave out medicine to the patients.	The nurse distributed medicine.
The rope holding the tent gave out.	The rope broke.
The organization gave out scholarships to deserving students.	The organization awarded scholarships.
The tires on the car gave out during the race.	The tires failed.
The company gave out shares to its employees.	The company distributed shares.

Table 3: Examples of “Give In”

The following table provides detailed examples of the phrasal verb “give in,” illustrating how it is used to express yielding, conceding, and succumbing to pressure.

Sentence	Meaning
I didn’t want to, but I had to give in to his demands.	I had to yield to his demands.
She finally gave in and agreed to go to the party.	She finally agreed to go.
The government refused to give in to the terrorists’ demands.	The government refused to yield.
After hours of arguing, he gave in and apologized.	He finally apologized.
The child kept crying until his mother gave in and bought him the toy.	The mother finally yielded.
Despite his initial resistance, he eventually gave in to the peer pressure.	He eventually succumbed to the pressure.
The company gave in to the union’s demands to avoid a strike.	The company conceded to the union.
She didn’t want to admit she was wrong, but she had to give in.	She had to concede she was wrong.
The team was losing badly, but they refused to give in.	They refused to surrender.
After much deliberation, the committee gave in to the proposed changes.	The committee accepted the changes.
He tried to resist temptation, but eventually gave in.	He succumbed to temptation.
The country refused to give in to foreign influence.	The country refused to be influenced.
She gave in to her cravings and ate the chocolate cake.	She yielded to her cravings.
The manager finally gave in and allowed the employees to work from home.	The manager allowed remote work.
He didn’t want to compromise, but he had to give in for the sake of the relationship.	He had to compromise.
The protesters refused to give in despite the heavy rain.	The protesters refused to yield.
She gave in to her curiosity and opened the mysterious package.	She succumbed to her curiosity.
The school board gave in to the parents’ demands for better facilities.	The school board met the demands.
He tried to stand his ground, but eventually gave in to the pressure from his colleagues.	He eventually yielded.
The government gave in to the public outcry and reversed its decision.	The government changed its decision.
She didn’t want to go, but finally gave in to her friend’s persuasion.	She agreed to go.
The company gave in to the market trends and launched a new product line.	The company adapted to the trends.
He resisted the urge to buy the expensive gadget but eventually gave in.	He finally bought the gadget.
The community refused to give in to despair after the disaster.	The community remained resilient.
She gave in to her desire to travel and booked a flight around the world.	She decided to travel.

Table 4: Examples of “Give Away”

This table illustrates the dual meanings of “give away”: offering freely and unintentionally revealing information. The examples show how context determines the intended meaning.

Sentence	Meaning
The store is giving away free samples.	The store is offering free samples.
He accidentally gave away the surprise party.	He revealed the surprise party.
The charity is giving away clothes to the needy.	The charity is donating clothes.
His nervous behavior gave away his guilt.	His behavior revealed his guilt.
The company is giving away prizes in a contest.	The company is awarding prizes.
She didn’t mean to give away the secret.	She didn’t mean to reveal the secret.
The museum is giving away tickets for a special event.	The museum is offering free tickets.
His accent gave him away as a foreigner.	His accent revealed his origin.
The radio station is giving away concert tickets.	The radio station is awarding tickets.
Her facial expression gave away her true feelings.	Her expression revealed her feelings.
The company is giving away promotional items at the trade show.	The company is distributing free items.
The spy accidentally gave away his identity.	The spy revealed his identity.
The organization is giving away scholarships to deserving students.	The organization is awarding scholarships.
His hesitation gave away his uncertainty.	His hesitation revealed his doubt.
The bookstore is giving away bookmarks with every purchase.	The bookstore is offering free bookmarks.
Her slip of the tongue gave away her true intentions.	Her mistake revealed her intentions.
The foundation is giving away grants to support local artists.	The foundation is awarding grants.
His body language gave away his discomfort.	His body language revealed his unease.
The festival is giving away souvenirs to the first 100 visitors.	The festival is offering free souvenirs.
The journalist promised not to give away his source.	The journalist promised to protect his source.
The game show is giving away a million dollars to the winner.	The game show is awarding a million dollars.
His stammer gave away his nervousness during the interview.	His stammer revealed his anxiety.
The pet shelter is giving away animals to good homes.	The pet shelter is adopting out animals.
Her sudden blush gave away her crush on him.	Her blush revealed her feelings.
The bakery is giving away day-old bread to the homeless shelter.	The bakery is donating bread.

Table 5: Examples of “Give Back”

This table provides examples of “give back” in contexts of returning borrowed items and contributing to the community. It shows how the phrasal verb conveys reciprocity and social responsibility.

Sentence	Meaning
I need to give back the book I borrowed from the library.	I need to return the book.
He wants to give back to the community by volunteering.	He wants to contribute to the community.
She gave back the money she had borrowed from her friend.	She returned the money.
They decided to give back to the environment by planting trees.	They decided to help the environment.
I always try to give back what I take.	I try to reciprocate.
The company decided to give back a portion of its profits to charity.	The company donated a portion of its profits.
He gave back the stolen goods to the police.	He returned the stolen goods.
She wanted to give back to the hospital that saved her life.	She wanted to show her gratitude.
We should all try to give back to those in need.	We should all try to help others.
The organization aims to give back to society through education.	The organization aims to contribute to society.
I promise to give back your car by tomorrow.	I promise to return your car.
She felt a responsibility to give back to her alma mater.	She felt a duty to contribute.
The program encourages students to give back to their schools.	The program encourages students to contribute.
He wanted to give back to the country that had given him so much opportunity.	He wanted to show his appreciation.
The foundation was created to give back to the arts community.	The foundation was created to support the arts.
She felt compelled to give back after receiving so much help.	She felt obligated to contribute.
The initiative encourages businesses to give back to the local economy.	The initiative encourages businesses to support the economy.
He decided to give back his time by volunteering at the soup kitchen.	He decided to volunteer his time.
The scholarship fund was established to give back to underprivileged students.	The scholarship fund was created to support students.
She felt it was important to give back to the organizations that had helped her family.	She felt it was important to support the organizations.
He gave back the extra change the cashier mistakenly gave him.	He returned the extra change.
The community came together to give back after the devastating flood.	The community came together to help.
She always made an effort to give back to the people who had supported her.	She always tried to reciprocate.
The company prides itself on giving back to the community through various outreach programs.	The company actively supports the community.
He wanted to give back to the sport that had given him so many opportunities.	He wanted to support the sport.

Usage Rules and Considerations

When using phrasal verbs with “give,” it’s essential to consider the following rules:

1. Separability: Some phrasal verbs with “give” are separable, while others are inseparable. For example, “give out” (distribute) is separable (e.g., “Give the books out” or “Give out the books”), but “give in” is inseparable (e.g., “Give in to the pressure”).
2. Pronoun Placement: If the object is a pronoun, it usually goes between the verb and the particle in separable phrasal verbs. For example, “Give it back” (not “Give back it”).
3. Context: The meaning of a phrasal verb can change depending on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words and sentences to understand the intended meaning.
4. Intransitive vs. Transitive: Some phrasal verbs can be used intransitively (without an object), while others require an object. For example, “The engine gave out” (intransitive) vs. “Give out the flyers” (transitive).
5. Tense and Form: Phrasal verbs can be used in different tenses and forms, just like regular verbs. For example, “I gave up,” “I am giving up,” “I will give up.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using phrasal verbs with “give”:

1. Incorrect Word Order: Placing the object in the wrong position in separable phrasal verbs.
   • Incorrect: Give back it.
   • Correct: Give it back.
2. Literal Translation: Trying to translate the phrasal verb literally from another language. Phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meanings that cannot be directly translated.
3. Using the Wrong Particle: Choosing the wrong particle can completely change the meaning of the phrasal verb.
   • Incorrect: I gave in smoking.
   • Correct: I gave up smoking.
4. Ignoring Separability: Not understanding whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable, leading to incorrect sentence structure.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of phrasal verbs with “give” with these exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the phrasal verb with “give.”

Question	Answer
1. I decided to ______ smoking last year.	give up
2. The teacher ______ the tests to the students.	gave out
3. She didn’t want to, but she had to ______ to his demands.	give in
4. The store is ______ free samples today.	giving away
5. I need to ______ the book I borrowed from you.	give back
6. The old car finally ______, and we had to buy a new one.	gave out
7. He accidentally ______ the surprise party to his sister.	gave away
8. The charity is trying to ______ to the community by providing food and shelter.	give back
9. After hours of arguing, she finally ______ and apologized.	gave in
10. The heater is ______ a strange smell.	giving off

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb

Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete the sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. Don’t ______! You can do it.	a) give in b) give up c) give out	b) give up
2. The company is ______ free t-shirts at the event.	a) giving in b) giving up c) giving away	c) giving away
3. I had to ______ to the pressure from my boss.	a) give in b) give up c) give out	a) give in
4. The machine ______ after only a few months of use.	a) gave in b) gave up c) gave out	c) gave out
5. We should always try to ______ to those less fortunate.	a) give back b) give away c) give out	a) give back
6. He ______ his secret when he started stuttering.	a) gave in b) gave up c) gave away	c) gave away
7. The exhausted hikers decided to ______ and rest for a while.	a) give in b) give up c) give out	b) give up
8. The volunteers ______ warm meals to the homeless.	a) gave in b) gave out c) gave away	b) gave out
9. She finally ______ to her cravings and ate the cake.	a) gave in b) gave up c) gave out	a) gave in
10. The fireplace is ______ a lot of heat.	a) giving in b) giving off c) giving away	b) giving off

Exercise 3: Sentence Rewriting

Rewrite the sentences using the phrasal verb with “give” in parentheses.

Question	Answer
1. I stopped trying to learn French. (give up)	I gave up trying to learn French.
2. The teacher distributed the worksheets to the class. (give out)	The teacher gave out the worksheets to the class.
3. She finally yielded to his persistent requests. (give in)	She finally gave in to his persistent requests.
4. The company is offering free pens with every purchase. (give away)	The company is giving away free pens with every purchase.
5. We should contribute to the community by volunteering our time. (give back)	We should give back to the community by volunteering our time.
6. The old computer stopped working after ten years. (give out)	The old computer gave out after ten years.
7. He accidentally revealed the plot twist. (give away)	He accidentally gave away the plot twist.
8. The organization aims to support local schools. (give back)	The organization aims to give back to local schools.
9. She finally agreed to go on a date with him. (give in)	She finally gave in and agreed to go on a date with him.
10. The flowers are emitting a strong fragrance. (give off)	The flowers are giving off a strong fragrance.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects of phrasal verbs with “give”:

1. Multiple Meanings: Many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, and understanding the nuances requires careful attention to context. “Give over,” for example, can mean “hand over” or “stop” depending on the situation.
2. Regional Variations: Some phrasal verbs are more common in certain regions or dialects of English.
3. Formal vs. Informal Usage: Phrasal verbs are generally more common in informal settings. In formal writing, it may be more appropriate to use a single-word verb. For example, instead of “give up,”
   over,” you might use “surrender.”
4. Phrasal Verbs in Idiomatic Expressions: Phrasal verbs often appear in common idiomatic expressions, which can add color and depth to your language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs with “give” is a valuable step in improving your English language skills. By understanding their meanings, structures, and usage rules, you can communicate more effectively and confidently.

Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to context to avoid common mistakes. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to use these essential expressions fluently and naturally.